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Dangers of motorcycle fires need attention

We had numerous reflections and reviews after the 921 earthquake. A Public Television Service special program also brought up possible "motorcycle fires" around buildings after an earthquake, even though such fires did not actually occur in the 921 earthquake. Although the recent blaze in Luchou, Taipei County, was not caused by an earthquake, the danger of such a motorcycle fire is not so different from an earthquake fire.

Since deadly motorcycle fires have caused casualties in Taiwan, I have started a series of experiments supported by the National Science Council (NSC) since 1997. From my research, I understand that the core of the problem lies in most existing legally built structures' lack of resistance against possible scooter fires.

Motorcycle fires may seriously damage both buildings and their users. But related regulations are lacking in the laws of the advanced countries. As a result, Taiwan does not have related regulations either, because its fire regulations on urban planning, architectural technologies, and fire control were in fact largely copied from those countries. For example, when designing motorcycle parking spaces, the danger of fires spreading to surrounding buildings has never been taken into account.

In terms of architectural design, we failed to require buildings close to motorcycle parking spaces to use fireproof materials on the exterior. In terms of those "half-outdoor" parking spaces for motorcycles -- such as overhangs and hallways -- our regulations fail to require the installation of fire-control equipment.

Theoretically, a building's fire-safety design is an integration of urban planning, architectural facilities and fire-control equipment. The principles for the three's design and installation should be based on one another's fire-safety functions. Unfortunately, as the requirement of motorcycle-fire prevention is completely lacking in the three aspects at the moment, our buildings are incapable of resisting such unique motorcycle fires.

What's more frightening is that Taiwan has about 10 million motorcycles -- almost one for every two people. These vehicles are usually located around houses, businesses and office buildings. Most motorcycles are made of flammable plastics. Once a fire breaks out when several motorcycles are parked together, the flames may spread up to the second or third floor.

Today, large amounts of flammable materials are arbitrarily placed around buildings. Since most buildings are capable of resisting neither accidental fires nor arson, residents of these buildings face greater threats once a motorcycle fire occurs.

No regulations were stipulated in Taiwan's laws in the past because no precedent could be borrowed from the world's advanced countries. Moreover, immediate establishment of new fire-prevention measures may only be applied to newly constructed buildings. It will be a time- and money-consuming project even if we request the existing legally built structures that are considered "potentially dangerous" improve both their structures and materials, and to increase fire-safety equipment at motorcycle parking areas.

Immediately feasible and effective measures are perhaps the strategies applied to building use and management. These strategies can reach their maximum effectiveness if they are made by residents themselves. For example, at the residential complex where I live, the self-made regulation that the space before building entrances has to be cleared within a certain range serves as an example.

Lin Ching-yuan is the chairman of the department of architecture at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology.

TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG
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